Wout Poels brought Dutch glory to the Tour de France on Sunday. The Dutch climber from Bahrain Victorious triumphed on the final climb, defeating Wout van Aert among others. Emotions overwhelmed Poels after the race.
"I've always dreamed of it, and after everything that has happened in the last four weeks..." a tearful Poels refers to the tragic death of his teammate Gino Mäder from Bahrain Victorious. The Swiss rider passed away after a severe crash during the Tour of Switzerland.
"I felt very good yesterday and also today," Poels continued. "I also rode smartly today and didn't react to everything. When Van Aert attacked, I was able to go with him. I thought: that's the ticket to the final climb. I knew then I had to leave him behind on the steep part, otherwise, it wouldn't work. It's a nice achievement to be able to outperform a rider of his class in that manner."
"I'm getting a bit older," Poels realized that there were fewer chances to win a stage in the Tour. "The Tour is what I've always dreamed about. I've won a Monument and now a stage in the Tour. It can't get any better than this."
Poels knew the final climb well from seven years ago in the Tour. At that time, he was riding in the wheel of what was his team leader back then, Chris Froome. "That day, I was actually allowed to go for my own opportunity. But then he crashed, and I shepherded him in the yellow jersey. And this morning we saw that I finished sixth here in a prologue of the Dauphiné. So, this climb suits me well."
"It's fantastic. I still remember as a child when my parents and I went to France with our camper, and we stumbled upon the Tour. Now, you're participating yourself - for the tenth time already - and then you win a stage. That's always been my big dream," Poels concluded his flash interview in a sentimental manner.